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Sharp Says New Look Second Eleven Fixture List Will Be BeneficialMonday, January 16th, 2017

Worcestershire Seconds fixture list will mirror the first team during the initial part of the 2017 season with much of the emphasis on 50 over cricket.

Coach Kevin Sharp's side will take on local rivals Warwickshire in the Championship opener at RGS Worcester.

But the onus will be on the white ball game with six of the next seven games in the Second Eleven Trophy.

The senior side will be in action in the Royal London One-Day Cup during the same period.

The Second Eleven T20 competition is also more condensed next summer which is also along similar guide-lines to the NatWest T20 Blast.

Sharp said: "They are mirroring the first team fixtures quite a bit and I think it is a positive thing.

"I think it has been quite challenging for the players over the last couple of years in having to jump quite a bit from the longer form to the shorter form in both 50 overs and T20 cricket.

"I think the way they have laid out the first team fixtures in blocks is quite constructive and the second team follows a similar pattern although you do occasionally have to play a one-dayer and a three-dayer together when there is so much travelling involved.

"But for me it looks quite pleasing on the eye, looking at the way it is set out, so hopefully that will benefit everyone."

Worcestershire will play their home matches at five venues in New Road, Kidderminster, Stourbridge, Barnt Green and RGS Worcester.

Sharp said: "We've got some nice grounds in Worcestershire. Obviously we are looking now to use RGS Worcester a little bit more now as a nursery ground so there is definitely more days cricket there.

"But Kidderminster, Barnt Green and Stourbridge are still very much involved in our fixture list. It is nice to to play at these places, lovely cricket grounds."

Worcestershire will play nine Championship, six Trophy and six T20 games before ending the campaign with four friendly fixtures, including a first meeting for several years with Surrey.